PAHAUTANUI.
(from a correspondent.) January 28. On Saturday evening last the Hon. Mr. Fox gave a lecture in the schoolroom at Pahautanui on temperance. He prefaced the lecture by stating that about twenty years ago he was informed that there was some very good land at the back of Pahautanni suitable for small farms, and also that a road could be made through to the Hutt. He was a member of the Provincial Council at the time, and considered it his duty to enquire into the matter. Consequently he came out accompanied by Mr, Maomanaway, the surveyor, and spent a day in the bush ; and although the idea was scoffed at by some, and he was told that there was not sufficient level land for a goat to stand upon, he hid persevered, and did all he could at that time to promote the scheme ; and during all the time that had intervened he had never paid a visit to the spot until this day. He had ridden through the settlement, and was gratified to see that the scheme had been eminently successful, the land had been cleared of the bush, there was a good proportion of level land, which was dotted with comfortable and prosperous homesteadin fact, the whole district of Pahautanui bore a prosperous appearance, which was sufficient evidence that the population residing there were not given to habits of intemperance. He was aware that it had been a hard struggle at the first, as the land was rough and had to be cleared of the bush. He then delivered a most able lecture, showing the evils of intemperance, which was arranged under three headings, viz., the economical, the criminal, and sanitary. First, in an economical point of view, it was a most expensive habit, as we voluntarily taxed ourselves to nearly double the amount which was levied upon ns as taxes by the St te for necessaries. It was expensive for the most temperate man, say, for instance, that he limited himself to one glass of beer per day, 6d., and he earned £IOO a year, there was one-tenth of his wages gone for drink. But he had known people who had drank the whole of their wages and more besides. A team of bullocks, several horses, and a farm had gone down their throats in drink, and their wives and families'were left destitute. ‘ Under, the criminal heading drink was ' most injurious to society; it filled onr gaols with criminals, and gave, employment to a great number of police and other officials, for which the public were heavily taxed. ’ The 1 lecturer quoted from several eminent Judges, showing that drink was tire primary cause of nine-tenths of the criminals coming before them for trial. In a sanitary point of view, strong drink affected the health of those who drank it, and tp this cause many diseases might be traced, especially lunacy. In short, our gaols, hospitals, and lunatic asylums were filled from tiie effects of drink. The lecturer concluded by asking if there was no remedy for this? He thought to a great extent there was. The evil of intemperance should be made a part of education in the lesson books of the young, and it should also be more frequently preached from the pulpit, and a great deal might be done
by legislation. He hoped yet to see the Local Option Bill passed, and then the people themselves would have a voice in the granting of licenses to public-houses. He thanked the audience (which was very numerous) for their patient attention.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5258, 30 January 1878, Page 2
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595PAHAUTANUI. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5258, 30 January 1878, Page 2
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